I am new to getting financing on properties as my other 2 properties I was lucky where the seller let me do payments to them directly on short 5 year loans at very reasonable interest rates.  

I haven’t had much luck finding great deals on multi family properties that are within a reasonable price range.

My goal for the year was to buy two properties, but for some reason I feel kind of lost on how to accomplish that goal.

This doesn't affect me, but the things you highlighted seem reasonable.  

But is it reasonable to be worried that big companies like this will squeeze us out with razor thin margins?

There is not any reason to limit yourself to Wells Fargo and conventional loans do not require you to live there.

A commercial lender would probably look at that more reasonably than a conforming residential lender. 

If you contribute money to the LLC, it must be done equally with your partners and recorded as capital contributions for tax reasons.  3. 

It is in a reasonably sized community of quadplexes, almost like an apartment complex, and includes a pool.

A great building at a reasonable price popped up on the market the other day and by the time I called the agent they had multiple cash offers.